Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey Read Free Book Online Page B

her teeth.
    Communities want outgoing leaders. Even a contemplative Order might’ve balked at the person described in this “report.”
    Giulia stared at the puzzle she’d created on the floor.
    â€œOnly the strong grapple Formation and win the veil. Something changed Sister Bridget. Before the merger or after?”
    She opened her phone and chose the text-message option for Frank’s number.
    Info not complete. Get all you can from the family.
    A moment later, the phone vibrated and the envelope icon appeared.
    Got it. Any other news?
    She rolled her eyes. Plenty. I’ve already committed the sin of wanting to murder Fabian. Instead, she texted, Not yet. I’ll work on the 2 friends next.
    The phone went back into her pocket with her driver’s license and debit card rubber-banded together. Neither of them were useful in here, but they were another small reminder that she was still Giulia Falcone under this veil. She knelt to pick up the scattered papers.
    â€œFive-thirty. Time’s up. Get downstairs and immerse yourself in it all. Make them accept you as one of them. Deal with the repercussions when you’re safe in your own apartment again.”
    _____
    The refectory at least sounded like a restaurant in the real world. The necessity of making oneself heard over the clatter of dishes and flatware gave Giulia an unexpected sense of relief.
    She found one empty seat at a table smack in the middle of the long, crowded dining room. Four other nuns were already seated there: one bouncing lesson-plan ideas off of one reading The Imitation of Christ , one writing a letter, and one leaning against the chairback, looking green around the gills.
    â€œSister Mary Regina Coelis,” Giulia said to the table in general. “Is anyone sitting here?”
    The letter-writer shook her head without looking up.
    â€œSister Eleanor.” The greenish one’s voice matched her skin tone.
    â€œAre you all right, Sister?”
    She opened her eyes. “Our plane landed an hour ago. We hit the worst turbulence in the history of mankind.” She winced and closed them again. “Now I know how chicken legs in a Shake and Bake bag feel.”
    â€œEleanor, I told you to drink ginger tea before we left.” The letter-writer capped her pen. “A pleasure to meet you, Sister Regina Coelis. I’m Sister Cynthia.”
    â€œYour ginger tea was the first thing I vomited on the plane, Cynthia.” Sister Eleanor squinted at everyone. “My apologies. I’m only here to collect saltines and ginger ale. Then I’m hiding in my room all evening.”
    Giulia gave in to her curiosity. “I didn’t think there was a Saint Cynthia.”
    â€œThere isn’t. My given name is Cindy. They allowed me to compromise at my Investiture, and I became Sister Mary Cynthia. I could hear my mother’s teeth grinding all the way from the back of the church.”
    The wizened doorkeeper stood, and the room fell silent.
    â€œGood evening, Sisters, and welcome again to today’s arrivals. Please bow your heads as we thank Our Father for this meal.”
    Giulia bowed her head with the rest, but kept her eyes open. The book-reader maintained her spiritual demeanor. The lesson planner at first appeared annoyed by the interruption. Sister Eleanor sank into her chair, the green tinge holding steady.
    When the prayer finished, the lesson planner resumed the third week of Advent. Giulia turned to Cynthia. “I’d never have believed they could squeeze thirty-five tables plus two of those restaurant-size steam carts in here.”
    Cynthia touched the back of her hand to Eleanor’s forehead. “This is the first I’ve seen it. Eleanor and I are from New Jersey.”
    Sister Fabian’s table proceeded to the serving table at their end of the room.
    â€œDo you know the Sisters at Sister Fabian’s table?” Giulia said to Sister